Phimosis is a condition in males in which the foreskin doesn’t pull back from the tip of the penis. Every boy is born with a tight foreskin. With age, the foreskin starts to retract and by the time they turn 3, this no longer remains a problem as the foreskin completely loosens up. This is a common problem in young boys which usually gets cured on its own. But in severe cases, when urination becomes difficult or pain is severe, treatment becomes essential.
The diagnosis of phimosis is a simple one. The urologist makes note of the full medical history of the patient by asking questions regarding any prior infection or injuries to the penis. There can be some questioning pertaining to any impact that might have occurred during sexual activity. Followed by the questioning round, the doctor does a physical examination in which he thoroughly looks at the penis and foreskin. To confirm, the doctor recommends a urinalysis to check for any urinary tract infections or perform a swab test by taking a sample from the foreskin area to check for bacteria.
Surgery
The surgical removal of the foreskin is known as circumcision. In this procedure, the urologist frees the foreskin from the penis’s head and the extra skin is removed.
Is phimosis dangerous?
If identified and treated at an early stage, phimosis does not pose any major threats to the life of any man. But if taken lightly and not provided with treatment, tight foreskin can be dangerous. Men with tight foreskin are at a greater risk of developing penile cancer. If left untreated, phimosis can result in the inflammation of the foreskin, glans penis or both.
Hence, it is very important for a man to maintain good penile hygiene and be gentle while cleaning the foreskin to prevent pathological phimosis. Additionally, men should avoid using harsh soaps and cleansers to clean the genitals and use only lukewarm water to clean the prepuce.
Are phimosis and paraphimosis the same?
In phimosis, the prepuce becomes tight and cannot be retracted over the glans penis. It is very common in babies and young boys. In older men, the problem may occur due to chronic penile infection and inflation in the foreskin and the penis. The tight foreskin also causes problems in urination and any sexual activity as well.
On the other hand, in paraphimosis, the foreskin can be retracted but cannot be pulled forward again. It mostly occurs if the foreskin is retracted immediately after a medical procedure. Paraphimosis leads to swelling of the glans penis and increases pressure to the retracted foreskin. The stuck foreskin forms a constricted ring around the penis. The condition prevents the flow of blood from reaching the penis, which may cause damage to the penile tissue.
When do you need circumcision for phimosis?
Doctors recommend circumcision in case of severe or recurring phimosis. It is the surgical procedure to remove the layer of the foreskin from the penis. In addition to treating various foreskin problems like phimosis, paraphimosis, etc, circumcision offers other medical benefits too.
